She was... taken from us much too soon sir - as are most loved ones. A kind, helpful soul she was - spreading her warmth to friends and strangers alike.
She had no need for adornments in life as she led a simple life. I think she would prefer a simple afterlife as well.
I will relay the information about them to Cedric.
She turns to head out but pauses before taking a step and turns back to Grang almost as an afterthought. By the way, I hope my father or one of his guards remembered to reimburse you for your troubles with Markus Abberbaugh last night. She smiles and shakes her head as if sharing a secret between acquaintances while watching Grang's reaction on hearing about the murdered guard. He can be a bit forgetful at times.
Regardless of the answer,
Ashimar bows her head and gives it a slight shake Such strange, dangerous times we live in sir. It seems the city itself cries at the loss of its king and its sons. And people like you and I... we're the forgotten ones. They pray to their gods and yet choose to ignore those who spread the message amongst them. They want their departed, loved ones looked after but often forget about the one who makes sure the rites are performed. You have our utmost gratitude sir, for your invaluable service not just to us but to the entire city. She finished with a slight incline of her head.
Tolenn smiles her acknowledgement of Grang's perception in noticing her vocation, then let's Ashimar take the lead adding only "Ashimar speaks true, your talents are greatly needed in our city, violence in all its evil forms are the first resort of many, it would seem"
Diplomacy , Aid Other
"He does look very capable." Tolenn says glancing at the guard.
Handing over the hat box to the undertaker, she asks "It feels good to leave our friend in such capable hands, Master Grang." she hesitates a moment before continuing "There was something else I would ask of you. This is completely unofficial, so I will understand if you refuse my request. We were present when Sergeant Markus died, he had asked for my help but was attacked and killed before I and my friends could assist him" Tolenn pauses again , looking abashed. "He had wounds of a particularly vile nature, that resisted our attempt to help him. Do you know aught of the nature of his wounds?"
Diplomacy
Ellismus continues his morning translating the book. The normalacy of the morning a far cry from the excitement of the last two days.....
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Akrem'dar sets about cleaning the place the party now calls home.
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With two hours to Kill Jarrin and Ced head over to see Jarrin's Dad at the Watch-house. The guards greet them and invite Jarrin and Ced into the watch-house. Jarrin's been in two of these now. Captain Siril's was all business. Everything had a place and his men were disciplined and very stalwart. Captain Fayne's is Chaos incarnate. Papers strewn about. Men constantly on the move in and out of armor.
Captain Fayne waves them in and rolls up a map he had out on the table and says 2 days in a row, I am indeed blessed. Welcome Son. How can I help you?...oh and please ignore the disarray, We've been busy. Another young woman turned up Dead this morning. Hung up pretty as can be, except her neck and face all sliced up. Strange thing is though...no blood. Wierd. Who's your friend?
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Tolenn and Ashimar stand in the Mortuary talking to Grang, while nearby Stefano's stands guard.
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This here is Cedric, a friend of mine. Cedric, I introduce my father, Kerric Fayne, Captain of the Watch of East Shore. If you don't mind me asking, where did you find this woman at? And what do you mean 'no blood'? And how many women have you found now? Jarrin will take a look at the map that his father has rolled out. You mark 'em on here?
Captain. giving the man a nod of respect.
Captain Fain reaches out and puts his hand on the map when Jarrin reaches for it and says Sorry Son. Official Business. As far as the murders, this is the 2nd one. First one was yesterday. Both have been streetwalkers. Both over by that bar, The Crimson Cup. Strange doings. Both obviously hung up by their wrists and cut and bled out. Be careful out there Jarrin. Things are getting bad.
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Grang says Miladies, if there is nothing further, Ill take your lost one and depart. I have work to attend to.
Ashimar nods listening to Grand Yes - it was most a unfortunate night. To top it all off, he was about to be set upon by vicious dogs as he lay there wounded and bleeding... a most uncommon thing wouldn't you say? I've never heard of wild animals attacking someone in the middle of the city! Have you?
I do hope whoever did this fiendish deed is caught Mr. Grang. I know I wouldn't feel safe with some murderer going around stabbing guards and other people at random with poisoned daggers... A poisoned dagger... almost as if someone wanted him assassinated... but... why? We have the means but we need to know the motive behind his killing.
Ashimar gives Grang a slight bow You have our thanks again sir - for looking after our friend as well as Marcus. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance and hopefully next time we meet, it will be in better circumstances. I shan't keep you from your work any longer. Shelyn's blessings be upon you and yours.
Jarrin looks at his father as he tries to hide the map with his hands. Looking around the place he sees how disorganized it seems to be. C'mon Dad, let us have a look. Let me help you out. I'm sure you could use a couple extra eyes and ears out there. Fill me in.
As the duo leave the funeral home, Ashimar slows to gaze at the peaceful gardens outside once again before they return to the streets. She seems rather pensive after leaving Zellara's remains with Grang.
A few minutes pass and she finally breaks the silence I wish we'd had a chance to get to know her better. She... or rather the vision we saw... she had kind eyes. She lets out a heavy sigh. I hope she finds peace in the afterlife.
The duo make idle chatter as they head back from the Gray Ward. I'm going to head to Longacre sister. I-I think the others were going to use someone else to try and get the brooch back to the queen so perhaps we can avoid getting Zenobia involved if we don't need to...
I'm going to see if I can dig up anything on any recent instances of tattooed dogs attacking or assaulting other people in the city recently. They seemed trained by someone for that purpose along. We have the means of how Markus was killed but we still lack a motive behind his death. Perhaps a visit to his house or domicile is in order? If we could find out what he was involved in, we may have an idea why someone would want to kill him in such a brutal manner...
Ashimar buries herself in her daily routine trying to plow through it as fast as she can so she can go digging through case files for her research on the attack dogs.
Don't you have enough on your plate already Jarrin that you are looking for an extra dish ? You have made your offer for help known. Should the Captain want it i am sure he can get the news to you said cedric with a smile
Bah. What else am I doing? Anyway, what son doesn't want to help his own father? Jarrin says when a smile and a wink to his pal Cedric. I'd love to help.
Captain Fayne smiled u pat his son and keeps his hand on the rolled up Map. Jarrin, I really appreciate the offer. I really do. But This is official business, and you know how we are treated around these parts. Im under more scrutiny than most Captains. One screw up and Im out. This is my chance to prove to the Chels that We Varisian's are as important as they. Unless you want to join the Guard, I have to keep you outside on this one. But I do appreciate the offer son.
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Ashimar and Tolenn leave Grangs and head back towards The base, with Ashimar intending to continue towards The Longacre Building.
Tolenn bows slightly in farewell to Grang and leaves the mortuary with Ashimar. After their farewells, Ashimar turns and heads for the Temple of Saranae.
When there, she seeks out the Healing Master and approaches her with diffidence.
"Greetings, could I pose a question or two?" Tolenn asks ,then relates the details of Marcus death, including Grang's opinion of poisoning as the cause. "Do you know what substance could affect a man in such a way?"
Diplomacy
Well, father, prehaps I could join the guard. Jarrin says with yet another smile. Maybe not as a guard or such, but as a consultant of sorts. You must admit, my skill set would have some value to you in cases like this. Jarrin sweeps his hand across the map in reference to the murders of the last couple of days. I've dealt with the guard when I was seeking out Lamm so they are already used to me asking questions. As a consultant working directly for you, I could do so in an official capacity. Jarrin puts his hand on his father's shoulder. I know you are under a lot of pressure in this new position. Let me help you, like you once helped me.
The Longacre Building-
Ashimar reaches her destination. As she approaches the building she stoll see's the lines, though shorter than before, outside of people applying for The Gray Wardens; The Queens new Guard Force.
The Food Carts of the day before are gone, completely sold out.
Inside she goes to the Arbiter's Clerk and asks about dog attacks with brands, and gets blank stares. It seems like the only thing those dogs have ever been used for is dog fighting.
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The Temple of Saranrae-
Tolenn asks the Priest that can always be depended on regarding matters of Healing and he puzzles for a bit and then says, Ive heard that foul necromantic magics can be applied to weapons to make their wounds able to withstand healing magics. Such weapons are called 'malign'. From what you say of his wounds, I would think that someone in the city is in possession of one such weapon.
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East Shore Watch-house
Captain Fayne grins and says Nice try son, but you know as well as I that those kind of appointments are not within a Captains jurisdiction. Assigning 'Deputy-of-the-Guard' rites can only be awarded by Field Marshal Croft. The Watch Captains have been asked to meet with her tomorrow regarding the spread of crime in the aftermath of The Kings Death. Perhaps I can speak to her about you then. Come see me tomorrow afternoon.
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Bashas-
Ellismus still translating a book is interrupted by Aula as she comes back into the back room holding a scrap of paper and says [B]Hey Ell, you are up on runes and such. Can you tell me what this is all about? She holds out a scrap of paper with a 7 pointed star written on it Seven Pointed Star
She says Marina Hopewell out in the lobby says she saw it etched on an her tenants doorway where she hasn't seen it before and wanted to know if we knew what it was?
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The Base-
Hearing sounds of argument coming from outside Akrem'dar looks out the front window and sees rabble shouting at a man wearing a minor nobles outfit. Shouts of Its all yur fault, ya damned nobles for the food shortage., Share yur food and money wit us ya pig, sit in gated homes all safe while we starve Death to the nobles!
He has his back against the wall across the street while the rabble of 10 or so common folk stand in a semi circle around him brandishing workers tools. Shovels, brooms, hammers, etc...
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Ellismus spent the entire morning translating an old book. Normally the tedium would wear on him, but this time, after the chaos of Lamm's 'justice', the strange night assault on a guard, and the ridiculous arguments on what to do with someone else's, someone important's, property... this was blissful.
He didn't even notice Aula come into the room at first, even when she spoke, he was so deep into the work. It wasn't until she thrust the paper under his nose that he became aware.
"What? Oh! Aula, I didn't see you there. My apologies," he says as he looks over the scrap of paper. "Quite interesting... You say, Marina saw it carved into a doorway? Fascinating... Hmmm... Something about it seems familiar... just give me a moment."
Dog fighting... bah. What cruelty! Forcing poor animals to tear into each other for another's entertainment. What joy is there in watching such ugly brutality and wagering on it?
Ashimar works in Longacre the rest of the day doing what she does best, with a quick visit to the Temple of Shelyn over lunch as part of her regular routine.
Once her regular day is done, she will head to her old apartment to ensure everything is in good order, fully intending to have a quiet evening before the curiosity of what Tolenn and the others found out about the dead guard overwhelms her. I suppose it couldn't hurt to pop over to Zellara's... well - formerly Zellara's and now partially mine I suppose, new abode to see what the others have been up to.
She'll bring along as many of her daily essentials she can carry (toiletries, extra changes of clothes, professional journals etc.) in her backpack to make her shared room at the new base more homey.
Akrem'dar waits on the others to arrive back before he does his thing. After all, someone has to hold down the fort.
Looking back at Aula, Ellismus asks: "Is there something strange about Marina's tenant? It's kind of an unusual thing for a prank, so maybe it was a sign or signal for something. Perhaps the tenant is involved, or he, or the apartment, is of interest to whoever did this."
"I guess she might not have mentioned any of that," he says sheepishly. "Maybe these are questions for Marina, herself."
Do that, Dad. I'm sure my friends and I could help. One more thing before we go, have you ever heard of the Skullcrackers?
cedric interest perks'up
Akrem'dar peeks out the window, realizing things are about to get quite bad. Taking a step out of the house with his earthbreaker, he clears his throat loudly.
"There a problem here?" the big man's voice booms out.
Tolenn takes a deep breath and says "Your tidings, while unwelcome, are not unexpected. You have my thanks Master." Tolenn bows to the healer and makes her exit.
She returns to her quarters and fetches some of her belongings to make her stay in Zellara's house more comfortable.
Satisfied that she has what she needs, she stops in the temple for a moment of prayer, then leaves and makes her way back to Zellara's